“Endless politicking has distracted multiple governments from the task of governing and as a result, disappointed the vast majority of Malaysians, who just want to get on with the daily challenges of life,” the electoral reform group said in a statement today.

“Our federal and state elections are held every five years with good reason. It gives time for the coalition or party given the mandate to govern, to prove itself and win another term, or else, be removed.

“It is the rakyat’s right to determine who has the mandate every five years, not politicians who want to seize power at every opportunity,” Bersih said.

The watchdog added that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must reach out to the opposition to push through a host of institutional reforms, including a fixed term Parliament act to guarantee an elected government has the chance to govern.

Bersih also continued its call for the restructuring of parliamentary procedure and budgeting, as well as the reform of the attorney-general’s chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the Election Commission (EC).

This would help to overcome political fatigue and apathy among many voters, the group said.